Director of athletics search committee

[Maddog1956]

Dear Members of the Appalachian Community:

On August 15, 2014, I shared the news that Charlie Cobb had stepped down as Appalachian’s director of athletics to join the athletics program at Georgia State University. I promised to update you as more information was available, and I am pleased to announce the formation of the search committee. The following people have graciously agreed to serve.

Brad Adcock, Trustee
Frank Aycock, Faculty Senate Representative and Professor of Communication
John Blackburn, Former Trustee and Former Board of Governors Member
Heather Brown, Women’s Golf Coach
Jim Fox, Men’s Basketball Coach
Avery Hall, Trustee and Former Athlete
Logan Hallock, Football Player and Member of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Alan Hauser, Chair, Faculty Athletics Representative and Professor of Religious Studies
Jamie Moul, Associate Professor of Health & Exercise Science and Former Member of Athletics Council
Susan Pettyjohn, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement
James K. Reaves, President of Alumni Association and Former Athlete
Jonathan Reeder, Assistant to the Chancellor for Athletics
Carson Rich, SGA President
Debbie Richardson, Senior Associate Athletics Director
Jean Roberts, Director of the Learning Assistance Program
Alice Roess, Trustee and Member of Athletics Council
Tommy Sofield, Former Athlete and President of US Buildings, Inc.
Neva Specht, Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences and Member of Athletics Council
Sarah Warnock, Softball Player

This search is extremely important to the future of our student-athletes. I thank the members of this committee for their willingness to serve and, especially, Dr. Alan Hauser for agreeing to serve as chair. Recognizing the critical role athletics plays in supporting the academic mission will be paramount for the person selected to fill this position. By setting the vision which values these young men and women as students first, and creating a supportive infrastructure that recognizes the amazing dedication and work ethic they embody to participate in their sport at the college level, the new athletic director will ensure Appalachian Athletics is a source of pride for our university for many years.

I extend special thanks to Interim Athletic Director Rick Beasley for stepping in during this time of transition and to the Appalachian community for its engagement. As always, more information will be shared as it becomes available.
Sincerely,


Sheri N. Everts
Chancellor

[App91]

Good Lord, think we got enough people on that? With that many, there is no way there can be unanimous decision!

[Maddog1956]

Good Lord, think we got enough people on that? With that many, there is no way there can be unanimous decision!

Unless it's like a lot of committees and about half show up, lol.

[asu66]

Good Lord, think we got enough people on that? With that many, there is no way there can be unanimous decision!

It is a BIG committee. I've served on several search committees for various university positions over the years--but never on a group this large. The group likely wouldn't have reached a totally unanimous choice no matter how many were named. Dr. Everts will likely want two or three names to choose from; and she'll make the final decision.

It's interesting that as many as eight committee members report either directly or indirectly to Rick Beasley. Good head-start for him--maybe. Or maybe he'll do some deep soul-searching and decide he's better off to remain as Deputy AD. There are some enormous budgetary issues on the not so distant horizon that could eat a novice AD alive.

[Saint3333]

Is it common to see so many direct reports on a committee of this nature?

There are a couple of business guys on there, that's always good to see.